What's it all about?
Badminton is the World’s No. 1 racket sport, and approximately 2 million people play in the UK on a regular basis. Badminton is a racket sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles). Players or pairs take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Unlike many racket sports, badminton does not use a ball: Badminton uses a feathered projectile known as a shuttlecock.
Badminton became an Olympic sport at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. Only the 32 highest ranked Badminton players in the world can participate in the competition, and each country can only submit three players to take part. In the IBF World Championships, only the highest ranked 64 players in the world, and a maximum of three from each country, can participate in any category.
Taking part
Badminton is an exciting sport and a fun recreation activity - whether it is playing in the back garden or on the beach, at World Class and Olympic level, or at all levels in between. Badminton can offer something for everyone. From young to old, all abilities can participate, you can reach success quickly and it is accessible to everyone. Most local leisure centres have courts available for hire for casual play. In Kent many of the leisure centres are running No Strings Badminton sessions. These sessions are for all ages/abilities and are a great way to exercise in a social environment.
To find out where your nearest session is click on the link below;
No Strings Badminton
Badminton England has a number of schemes and programmes that can be accessed through the Kent Badminton Development Officer and the Badminton England Website. Some of these schemes are:
Badminton Junior Helper Award (BJHA), Badminton in Schools Initiative (BISI), Badminton Bonanzas, Centre Parc National Inter School Championships, Badminton for teachers, No Strings National Leisure Centre Championships, Badminton England cup, the Young Official Award YOA, Back 2 Badminton and Smash for Cash.
Get Involved
Information on Badminton clubs in Kent can be found here, on the Badminton England Website
Follow Badminton England on 
Structure of the sport
Based at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes, Badminton England provides a structure for the sport from Board and Council, senior management, specialist staff at headquarters, regional manager and officers, county associations and clubs right the way through to individual members and volunteers.
The organisation is responsible for the management and training of the elite England squad, and works alongside the other home nation governing bodies to prepare British players for the Olympics.
Badminton England also coordinates a development network that provides a pathway for aspiring players to progress from schools and clubs to the national squad.
In addition, the governing body offers information about the game, runs coaching courses, tournaments from county to international standard, sells books and videos, and promotes the sport at all levels.
Main Contact
Lauren Neve - Regional Officer for Kent - laurenneve@badmintonengland.co.uk - 07802 459019
